Puerto Rico Citrus Hill Project - Day 1

Well we’re off on an adventure! And what an adventure it will be. We did something crazy and bought a house in Puerto Rico and now we’re headed to renovate it as a family! The kids just finished school on Friday and we get the spend the rest of the month of June working on the house and the property and hopefully making lots of crazy memories while we’re at it. 

Our flight out of salt lake was a midnight flight and we got to the airport just as everyone was feeling the effects of the late hour. Once we were on the plane we all tried to sleep as much as possible but it ended up not being very much. We had a really short connection in Fort Lauderdale and actually almost missed our flight to San Juan because our plane came in late. But luckily we got off the plane and our gate for the next flight was just two gates over. We walked off one plane and right into another! 

By the time we got to San Juan we were beat and ready for a nap. We had a long wait at the rental car place that was actually a big joke and not run very well. We waited and waited and the kids were so tired from no sleep the night before that they just fell asleep as they were and where they were! We finally got our cars (two small cars since there are no vans available right now) and finally we were off and headed to our new (to us) home. 

About two weeks ago josh and I flew down and spent 24 hours in PR just to sign papers on the house. While we were here we ended up buying some mattresses, futons, a few dishes and appliances, etc just so we could have a few things when we first got here with the family. I am soooo glad we did that! Because when we got to the house we were all tired and and just wanted to have a place to sleep. We spent about an hour putting futons together and setting up mattresses and were so glad to have a place to sleep last night. Before bed we took a walk around the neighborhood and found the basketball court just down the street and watched a rainstorm from the top deck. We already have a huge list of things we need but for now we’re just happy to be here and have a house of our own! We know there’s lots of work ahead...bring it on!

Rease turns 14!

Rease turns 14 today and I couldn't be more excited to celebrate this daughter who first made me a mother!  She is THE BEST teenager and we wouldn't change a thing about this girl.  Of course she wanted a marching band cake so I tried my hand at a fondant cake.  It certainly wasn't perfect, but it turned out cute enough.  She loved it.  

She wanted a night game party with friends so that's what we did.  Cake and ice cream and then loaded into the truck for a night of Fugitive.  It was a blast and we had fun laughing and playing into the night!

14 year old stats from Dr. Erikson:

Height: 5'7" - 92%

Weight: 166 lbs. - 96%

My favorite things about 14 year old Rease:

1) Rease is passionate about things that are important to her.  She's completely dedicated to doing what she loves and gives it her all.  Marching band has become her favorite thing and she works hard at it.  She's also passionate about keeping good relationships with people she loves.  She had great friends and they love spending time together.  She makes a big effort to put time into the family and she loves being with Josh and I.  We couldn't ask for a better teenager than this girl.

2) Rease is super smart.  She catches on to things easily and has a mind for figuring things out.  School comes easily to her and she uses her brain to excel in her classes.  That's going to get her far and I know she'll be successful in whatever she does!

3) Rease is my friend and her friendship is something I cherish!  She tells me all that she's thinking, doing, wondering and who she likes or doesn't like.  She is so good about keeping in touch with me and making sure she knows how I'm doing.  She is a true friend and I hope that never changes.  Love this girl to pieces!

Happy Birthday Ras!

 

Rease and her friends

This group of girls have been friends for as long as I can remember.  The 4 of them have been in the same classes on and off together since 1st grade and now as 8th graders are still best of friends.  Love them all and what they do for each other!

 

Rease end of year

 

Rhen end of year

 

Liev end of year

 

Keen end of year

 

Beck end of year

 

Last day of school

It's the last day of school and these 7th graders-to-be planned a celebration in honor of graduating from elementary school!  They took a trip to the district for lunch, shopping and a movie.  Such a cute group of kiddos that are getting so grown up!

 

Stress Fracture

So this happened...

I've been training for a marathon for what seems like 2 years now.  Since races have been cancelled so much lately (covid) I've basically just continued training until I found one that is actually going to be officially run.  I'm signed up for Utah Valley on June 5th.  Turns out my body said no to that request.  I found out today that I have a stress fracture on the inside of my left shin.  It's been hurting for the past few months and REALLY hurting for about 3 weeks now.  Especially when I put in a lot of miles or play basketball for a long time.  Anyway I finally got it checked and sure enough...Doc says no running for 6 weeks while it heals and that I have to wear this silly boot.  I think those are real tears in my eyes as I am realizing that I'm not going to be running the marathon I've trained for forever!

 

Bike Ride

These cute kids headed up to the hills today on their bikes and enjoyed the gorgeous morning on the trail!

 

Desh's year end program

Desh had his year end preschool program today.  Miss Melanie does such a great job with her preschool and teaches these kids so many fun and amazing things.  I love the program with all the songs they've learned throughout the year and seeing how much they've grown.  It is the end of an era for us and Kinder Cottage.  5 of the 6 kids have been with her for preschool and I just have so much love for this woman and her kindness to all our kids.  Desh has loved being in her class and we will certainly miss her.  Kindergarten here we come!

 

Desh's Birthday!

Desh turned 5 today and I can't even believe it!  He asked for a monster truck cake and when I reminded him that we did that cake last year, he insisted this year will be different because he wants a white on this time.  So a white monster cake was on the menu for the party tonight!  We had german pancakes on the "You are Special" plate for breakfast and a family party with cake and ice cream tonight.  We couldn't get enough celebrating for this 5 year old caboose of ours!

5 year old stats from Dr. Erikson:

Height: 3'11" - 98%

Weight: 49 lbs 3 oz - 90%

My favorite things about 5 year old Desh:

1) Desh is my baby boy and though he's not a baby anymore, he is my buddy during the day.  The other kids are off to school and we get to hang out together.  He tags along for grocery shopping, basketball days, doctor appointments or whatever it is that's going on during they day.  He is my right hand guy and sometimes I don't know what I'd do without him right by my side!

2) Desh has a "cheery disposition" like I've never seen in anyone else!  He is happy, joyful, excited and all the things that come with being cheery.  He's the first to complement anyone on something he likes about them.  He gets excited about anything that sounds fun or out of the ordinary.  He loves to play and laugh and have fun.  All things that make you just want to be around him because he's so happy!

3) Desh is the youngest of 4 brothers and he just wants to be like them.  Anything the other boys are doing, he is game to try and do as well.  He doesn't get nervous or scared about trying new things.  He just wants to be a part of the group.  I love this adventurous side of him!

Happy Birthday Big D!

 

Turning 40

I tried to turn 40 quietly and without any fanfare.  I thought it was going well until Josh and my kids got involved.  Josh quietly started to spread the work.  My best girl friends took me on a birthday trip to Las Vegas (and we had THE BEST time!).  Then, because of timing and other conflicts, our annual Amazing Race was scheduled on the night of my birthday (no problem).  If only Shelley wouldn't have made me a HUGE banner that said Happy 40th Birthday, I don't think anyone would have known.  Turns out everyone knew and it ended up being a big party (ok fine I'll be 40).  But best of all, my cute Rease made me a 40th birthday cake all on her own.  She's so thoughtful and wonderful.  Turns out I couldn't turn 40 quietly.  So now I just embrace it.  I love these wonderful people who made my birthday and LOUD success.  

 

Amazing Race 2021

Our favorite neighborhood activity of the year is here!  We love putting the Amazing Race on for our friends and neighbors and we had a record crowd this year!  10 teams and all so much fun.  Love all these people in our life!

 

Year end band concert

Rease had her final concert of the year tonight.  She has loved both her band classes and especially has loved jazz band which is a class she goes to early every morning.  They have worked hard but also have had a lot of fun together as a group!  She is playing the french horn in symphonic band and started playing the trumpet in jazz band this year.  She is pretty amazing to pick up on a new instrument like she has.  I know she's looking forward to marching band season where she plays even another instrument - the mellophone.  What a girl she is!

 

Birthday Trip

Shelley, Melissa and I (Steph couldn't make it) came across some super cheap plane tickets to Las Vegas not too long ago and decided on a whim to take a trip for the weekend!  It was so last minute and none of us really had plans on what we were going to do, but knew we wanted to get out of town for a few days.  It turned out to be pretty close to my birthday, so Shelley and Melissa took over plans for the trip and turned it into a 40th birthday weekend.  I must say, they did a great job with their planning.  It was a blast!  We had the best time and it was just what we all needed - some friend/girl time.  We did all the fun things: ate at yummy restaurants, watched the fountains at the Bellagio, walked through the gardens, sat by the pool, drank pina coladas and just enjoyed having nothing else to do.  By far my favorite thing we did was a spa/yoga day by the lake.  We had a private yoga class on the deck looking out over the lake and then had head and neck massages in the warm sunshine outside.  I know I fell asleep on and off at least 3 or 4 times, it was so relaxing.  It could not have been a better way to spend my birthday!  These ladies are the best and are such an important part of my life.  I don't know what I would do without them to lean on, talk to, figure things out with and just be there when one of us needs something.  We have grown to love each other like sisters and we laughed and joked and ate and worked out and slept and did all the good things.  It was the perfect weekend!  

Thanks for an amazing birthday trip!  Love you ladies to death!

 

Liev's county report

Liev has been studying and learning all about Box Elder county so that he could write a report and present it to his class.  He really did a great job on this project!

 

Mother's Day

My favorite thing on Mother's Day is the homemade cards and letters from my kids.  They are all so sweet and thoughtful and I got lots of coupons for foot rubs and head massages that I will be cashing in very soon.  I love being a mom to each of these kids that I'm lucky enough to have. 

 

New home owners!

Well, its official.  After a busy week of weddings, young women's events and getting back in time for Mother's Day, a whirlwind trip to Puerto Rico made us new homeowners of an amazing fixer upper in the jungle of Rio Grande!  It has been a crazy couple of months getting this all going, back and forth with realtors and lawyers over the rights and deed of the land, finding the right balance between a home we could live in but still work on, and lots of worry and wonder and prayer, we finally pulled the trigger and bought some plane tickets that would get us there in time to sign papers and then get back home after just 24 hours of being on the island.  It. Was. Nuts.  But oh we couldn't be more excited about this adventure and the project we get to be involved in with our kids!  We just feel like we were led here and we're going to take the road as far as it will take us!

 

Keen's school project

Keen has been learning all about the USA and the symbols of our country and what they stand for.  He made so many cute art projects in his American Symbols book.

 

Gracie and Connor's wedding

Our cute niece Gracie got married today!  We loved being there at the temple and spending the day with family.  It was so beautiful outside and literally the perfect day to get married.  The temple grounds were gorgeous!  The reception was fun with lots of good food and time to mingle with friends and family.  And...Liev caught the bouquet!  He was sooo excited although I didn't know boys were allowed to even be in the running for that?  Anyway, he was adorable and put the bouquet in a jar when we got home and took it to his school teacher the next day.  Such a cute gentleman!

Congrats Connor and Gracie! Love you both.

 

Tilly

Our kids are just in love with this little ragamuffin.  We thought they might like her a little bit, but the amount of love directed at her every day is just incredible.  I guess we can keep her...

 

Baby Perri

Our darling Baby Perri has made it home from the hospital after 4 long months!

Andy and Kristi's miracle baby has exceeded all expectations and is doing so well after being born at just 25 weeks and 1 lb. 6 oz.  She has grown and developed and just done amazing and was finally able to come home.  We got to visit this little angel and loved snuggling up with her.  She is a miracle baby and we love her so much!

 

1/2 Marathon

Rease and Rhen have been working hard the past 3-4 months training for a 1/2 marathon. They decided they wanted to do it and they have not looked back!  Training has been hard and time consuming but they have figured out how to fit it into their schedules and are ready!  Race day finally arrived and they were both nervous/excited as they boarded the bus early this morning.  We couldn't wait to see them at the finish line!

They had a big crowd of kids ready to cheer them on as they came down the final stretch.  We saw Rhen first with her long legs and pink shirt.  She looked awesome and was in great spirits as she passed us and crossed the finish line.  

Not too much time later Rease came up the road and she has taken after her mom and cried the minute she saw and heard us cheering for her.  It brought tears to my eyes because I knew just how she was feeling and wanted to help her along the rest of the way.  She finished strong though and made it through to the finish line arch!  

I am sooo proud of these girls!  This is such a big accomplishment and proved to themselves that they could do something that is really really hard.  They are strong, beautiful girls and I look up to both of them in all they do!